Granddaughter, boyfriend charged in killing of grandparents

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - UPDATE: Gwinnett County Police have charged 19 year old Johnny Rider and 17 year old Cassandra Bjorge with murder and aggravated assault for the deaths of 63-year-old Wendy and Randall Bjorge. The victims are Cassandra’s grandparents. 

According to the Medical Examiner, the manner of death for both victims was homicide, and the cause of death for both victims was an incision to the throat. Both victims also suffered blunt force trauma and sharp force injuries.

Police believe the couple died one week prior to being found on April 8th. In addition, police say they believe teens that have not been accounted for may have been inside the home. These teens were unrelated to the actual homicides, but they may have information that proves to be critical for the homicide investigation, according to police.

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A teenage girl and her boyfriend are accused in the homicide of the girl's grandparents, according to Gwinnett County Police.

Authorities found the bodies of Randall and Wendy Bjorge, both 63, inside their home on Furlong Run early Sunday. Officers made the discovery after a welfare check.

Investigators believe the couple's granddaughter, Cassandra Bjorge, 17, and her 19-year-old boyfriend, Johnny Ryder, are responsible. Police took the pair into custody after a short SWAT standoff at an apartment complex in Suwanee.

Detective David Smith said the two had self-inflicted cuts when found and are now being treated at a hospital.

"We believe that they were attempting to kill themselves by slitting their wrists, but they weren't successful. We believe they are going to be in the hospital for a couple of days," Cpl. Deon Washington said.

Along with the duo's suspected involvement in the killings, police said Ryder beat two of his relatives with a baseball bat late Saturday at his mother's house on Rambling Woods Drive. Investigators said the assault sparked the search for the teens because a vehicle belonging to the Bjorge couple was found at the location. Authorities told FOX 5 the pair's family from out-of-state called 911 after not hearing from them. They made another welfare check at the couple's home earlier in the week but were unable to make contact.

Jerry Decatrel, a longtime friend of Wendy and Randall Bjorge, told FOX 5's Marissa Mitchell the retired couple was a great part of the community and spent a lot of time with their granddaughter, including teaching her how to swim as a child. He and others brought flowers to the home following the incident.

"It's unbelievable. They are going to be missed they were great in this neighborhood," Decatrel said.

Police said Rider was arrested last October on 4 counts of entering autos and financial transaction card theft, plus other charges.  They also sat Cassandra Bjorge has a history of running away. The motive and cause of death remain under investigation.

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